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Oleg Menshikov, Soviet-Russian actor

Oleg Menshikov, Soviet-Russian actor

Oleg Menshikov is Soviet and Russian film and theater actor, theater director, People’s Artist of Russia (2003), three-time winner of the State Prize of the Russian Federation (1995, 1997, 1999).
Oleg was born on November 8, 1960 in Serpukhov, Moscow region in the family of military engineer and neurologist. Little boy was fond of music and parents bought an old violin. At school he was keen on juggling. Menshikov also played the piano, his favorite tunes were cancan and melodies from classic operettas. In high school, he began staging performances. The first one was staged by New Year’s Eve.
Menshikov finished music school. He was a member of an orchestra and could have entered the Music Conservatory. But he didn’t have to choose between music and stage. There was only stage for him. And he took his documents to the Schepkin Drama School, one of the oldest theatrical institutes in the country.
In 1980 Menshikov made his debut in the drama “Wait and hope” by Suren Shakhbazian.
After the role in the film “Pokrovsky Gates” (1982) Menshikov became a star.
In 1981 he began working at the Maly Theater. A year later he served in the Central Academic Theatre of the Soviet Army.
In 1985 Menshikov was invited to join the troupe of the Ermolova Theatre, where he worked until 1989.
In 1995, he formed his theater company called the “Association 814”.
After becoming a free actor, Menshikov played in Peter Fomenko’s plays, “Globe” in London.
For his role in the play “Caligula” (1990) based on an Albert Camus’ novel, Menshikov was awarded the Prize and Diploma of “Moscow Seasons” festival. For his role in the play “When She Danced” (1991) he received a Laurence Olivier Award in 1992.
In 2003, Oleg got a major French award – order of “Academic Palms”.
In early 2008, Menshikov staged his first one-man show “1900” on the stage of the Mossovet Theater.
In 1998, Oleg played in the film “The Barber of Siberia” directed by Nikita Mikhalkov. Menshikov played Ostap Bender in “The Golden Calf” based on Ilf and Petrov’s novel. Then followed rather interesting and challenging role in the movie “Doctor Zhivago” based on Boris Pastenak’s novel. Oleg also starred in “Burnt by the Sun” by Nikita Mikhalkov and many other films.
Menshikov’s personal life has always been a mystery shrouded in mystery. In 2005, he secretly married a young actress Anastasia Chernova. But there are a lot of rumors about their wedding.